Glenbrook
Vintage Railway

One
of the really interesting things about touring around New Zealand
is the fact that you come across all sorts of cool things to do
and see tucked away in out-of-the way places.

While
on a drive through the countryside to the south of Auckland we came
across an amazing vintage railway society at Glenbrook (about 9
kilometres from Waiuku), where you hop aboard lovingly restored
rolling stock for a journey into yesteryear.

Volunteers
dressed in 1890s' costumes man the rebuilt station and buildings,
or dealing out cups of tea and snacks, while others prepare a grand
collection of engines and carriages for your 12-kilometre journey.

You
have a marvelous choice of places to sit - from luxurious leather
seating, to carriages with pressed metal ceilings and antique lamps.

If
you want more adventure and to get the real smells and sounds of
steam engines then hop aboard an open car positioned right behind
the engine.

You
get the delightful smell of burning coal, followed by cinders and
soot - but it should be mentioned that it's best to avoid wearing
light-coloured clothing.

The
thing that amazed us was the sound of the steam whooshing out of
the mechanics - it really is loud and comes out at high velocity.

The No.1 engine we were on - a former New Zealand Railways unit
Ww480 - had us going along the rails at a very creditable 30 kilometres
per hour.

The
railway travels all the way in to Waiuku nowadays, with a 15-minute
stopover at the workshops that used to be the finishing point for
the journey.

At
the workshops engines and rolling stock are restored to operational
status and you can also watch as the fireman refills the coal load,
or water levels are topped up.

It
is intended that the railway line will eventually extend from the
current interim terminus at Victoria Avenue, Waiuku to the Tamakae
reserve on the shores of the Manukau Harbour.

If
you are really lucky you may get an opportunity to take the ride
in the engine cab and see how the driver and firemen have to work
the vintage set-up.

It
is slightly cramped - and can get pretty hot - and you do need to
be mindful there is an open door at your side - but what an adventure!

Adam,
the fireman, scooped shovels full of South Island coal into the
furnace at very regular intervals and made sure the steam pressure
never rose above 180 pounds per square inch (psi).

Our
driver, Robert, who's also the society's accountant, easily worked
the levers and brakes and moved the heavy machine as if it was a
Mini Cooper - we barely felt it as the engine recoupled with the
carriages for the return journey.

The Glenbrook Vintage Railway was built in 1970 - construction began
only three years after the Waiuku line was closed by the Government
- and has been operating since 1977.

Now
if you've got youngsters or grandchildren who are into Thomas the
Tank Engine and friends then the Glenbrook Vintage Railway does
put on special Thomas days. Now that has got to be heaven for them!

And
if you really want to go back in time then there are jigger rides
available. You have a choice between motorised ones that go for
4km, or hand-operated ones around the station.

Operating
Schedule: The regular operating season starts on New Zealand Labour
Weekend (late October) and continues until Queen's Birthday (early
June). During this season trains operate Sundays and most public
holiday weekends. Trains run on the hour from 11.00a.m. to 4.00p.m.

Tickets:

Adult $18

Child $9 (5 to 14 years)

Child under 4 years - free

Family ticket $48 (2 adults plus up to 4 school age children)

Group discounts available for parties with 15 or more fare-paying
passengers when paying in one lump sum.

NOTE: Increased
fares may apply to special event days such as the Day Out With
Thomas Event.